Jane Lyon’s Summer Wind Farm went to $750,000 to acquire the 9-year-old mare A Star is Born (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) during Monday’s opening session of the Keeneland January sale. The mare, who sold in foal to War Front, is the dam of MG1SP Fleet Review (War Front). She was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales.

This is pretty nice. I was very curious what Fatale Bere (FR) [Pedro the Great (by Henrythenavigator) x Mofa Bere (Saumarez)] would go for...$700k to Shadai. She was a $15,709 2016 yearling. I wish them well! Pedigree page:http://apps.keeneland.com/sales/Jan19/pdfs/397K.pdf

He makes a comment about how the dam of the colt "isn't as young as she used to be". I understand purchasing a mare her age, 23, isn't too popular since she maybe has three more foals left, but he made the comment after buying her colt.

Was this just an errant comment, or are foals from older mares (even the proven ones) less popular and why?

I think a 23 year old mare has zero foals left in her, rather than 2 or 3.

To me it just sounds like he's just trying to convey that the colt is a rare entity, being a half sibling to two G1 winners and out of a mare that is probably now pensioned, or close to it.

Though I have heard that some (or maybe the majority?) of breeders consider a mare's first foals to be her best. I'm definitely not a TB breeder so I'm sure that other members on the forum can speak to that better than I.

This is very generalized (and from a different part of the world!).
A mares first foal is often just average but I know buyers that specifically look for a mares 2nd to 6th foal. Around the age of 15-18 the quality of the foal often starts to decrease as the mare gets older and unless the mare is a superstar buyers won't even look at foals born when mares are aged 20+

There are exceptions So You Think was from a "older mare" (16) that had 4 more foals after him. I remember there was a article a few years ago about G1 winners from older mares I will see if I can find it

“He begins by looking at the top 20 American racehorses from The 100 Greatest Racehorses of the 20th Century and observes only two had a dam over 12 years old at the time of conception, and only one—War Admiral—had a sire over 15. The sires of these elite runners averaged 11.5 years old while their dams averaged only 8.3. ”

Taylor Made consigned hip 190 UNACLOUD 1997 M Unnacounted For-CLOUD'S AMBRE, by Two Punch, dam of Overanalyze, i/f to Distorted Humor, carrying her 15th foal, sold for $100k to PK Land & Cattle Co on the first day at Keeneland.

Gainesway consigned hip1439 CURRICULUM 1999 M Danzig-MACOUMBA, by Mr. Prospector, dam of Temple City, i/f to Empire Maker, carrying her 13th foal. She will sell the 4th day at Keeneland if she stays in.

Gainesway consigned hip1439 CURRICULUM 1999 M Danzig-MACOUMBA, by Mr. Prospector, dam of Temple City, i/f to Empire Maker, carrying her 13th foal. She will sell the 4th day at Keeneland if she stays in.

Arif Kurtel bought Curriculum for $72k. He also bought quite a few other mares. He's a Turkey-based breeder/owner.

Claiborne Farm Verified account @claibornefarm
3h3 hours ago
Many of you followed LULL through her racing career, and we wanted to let you all know that she has been retired to the farm to join our broodmare band. She's adjusting well, especially after this care package from @KBCHorse from one of her fans, Marianne Foreman! #welcomehome